SolGEn Calida,release a Photo of De Lima and Suspected Drug Lord JayBee Sebastian

Solicitor General Jose Calida on Thursday cast doubt over Senator Leila De Lima's reputation after releasing a photo showing her with Jaybee Sebastian, a suspected drug lord operating inside the New Bilibid Prison.

The photo was allegedly taken inside Sebastian's kubol (makeshift dwelling), according to a report of GMA News' Mariz Umali on "24 Oras" on Thursday.

"She looks good in the picture. What was she doing in the mansion of Jaybee Sebastian? Calida said.

"And there are many other photos. Ito pa lang ang teaser."

De Lima denounced insinuations linking her to Sebastian or "to any other convicted or suspected drug lord or operator now or in the past."

“I categorically deny any insinuation of me extending any protection or accommodation to any criminal," the senator said in a statement.

"My personal and professional records would belie all accusations hurled against me, which are obviously intended to malign my good name and reputation and to undermine the performance of my lawful duties as a senator,” she added.

The senator recalled she attended several management committee meetings of the Department of Justice, including one hosted by Bureau of Corrections then headed by BuCor Director Gaudencio Pangilinan.

"That one meeting which was covered by the media at the premises of the National Bilibid Prison was also attended by other top officials of the DOJ, including the heads of attached agencies and BuCor officials," she said.

De Lima said the ManCom members mingled with some inmates during certain activities on the same day as part of the reformatory program of BuCor.